MCK Responds to Femmes Autochtones du Quebec Inc

05/08/2018

While the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) can respect the opinion of Vivian Michel regarding the loss of rights of Indigenous persons due to the “Marry Out” policy, the rest of a recent press release issued by Femmes Autochtones du Quebec Inc. on the topic of the recent Miller et al vs. Kahnawà:ke is actually incorrect.

The release states that “Judge Thomas Davis determined that the eviction of non-Indigenous Kahnawà:ke residents is a discriminatory policy.” This is not what the ruling states. In fact, the ruling stated that the court could not rule on whether or not non-Indigenous persons may reside in the Community of Kahnawà:ke. Further, the release also compares this case to that of Mary Two-Axe Early. The fact is Two-Axe Early sued the Federal Government, not the MCK and sued based on an Indian Act policy, not one created by the people of Kahnawà:ke. Two-Axe Early went before her Community to be reinstated and was, indeed, reinstated by her people, in addition to winning her court case vs. Canada.

“This is not the same situation at all. Mary Two-Axe Early is respected, and her case has been used as an example by the MCK of inconsistent and unfair Canadian policies that have led us to where we are today,” said Ietsénhaienhs Arlene Jacobs. “Ironically, the release goes on to recognize the strength of women who mobilize and defend our rights when in fact, it has been the women of Kahnawà:ke who have mobilized to create and defend the very policies the release is against.”

Finally, the release also denounced “a climate of insecurity and violence which resulted from the policies.” However, no such violence has occurred related to this topic. Nonetheless, the MCK agrees with the sentiment and has pushed for peaceful discussion on the topic and in fact, has chosen such a route with Kahnawà:ke’s Community Decision Making Process.

“We urge those who wish to comment on this subject to be better informed before making public statements on the matter,” concluded Ietsénhaienhs Jacobs.